www.CostaRicaTicas.com

To whom it may concern:

I recently returned from a seven-day visit to San Jose. Staying at the Del Rey from August 12-19. Instead of doing a long boring trip report I will do a much shorter but just as boring hotel review. I'll start with the disclaimer: that is I am a DR junkie this is the 11th year that I have spent multiple weeks at the DR.

I reserved a suite in February shortly after returning home from my January stay. Once a month I would reconfirm that reservation. Was sent a credit card form that I filled out and returned. No negative effects from divulging credit card information. Upon arrival on the 12th I was greeted at the door and assisted in with my luggage. Was greeted by name at the reservation desk ( yes they recognized me ). Quickly signed in to my room given room key and the key to the minibar. Within five minutes of arrival I and my luggage were in my room are I should say rooms as the suite has a small living room , a large bedroom, bath and inviting patio on the sixth floor.

For those of you who like to travel in groups there are two adjoining bedrooms that can be rented separately are as part of the suite. The bathroom is adequate but not spectacular. As much as I love the place it would be unfair of me not to point out that even the suite has that rundown DR look. Not depressing but certainly not a crisp clean look. The two biggest virtues of the suite is the living room and patio.

During my stay I experienced none of the bartender waitress negative issues that have been verbalized lately. No problem with getting drinks no problem with change. Quite the contrary. I'm an early riser and am usually heading down the elevator between 630 and 730 each morning. As I would exit the elevator next to the bar make the right U-turn and head for the coffee bar I would receive a wave from the young lady behind the bar who would have my cuppa coffee ready by the time I reached the bar. Not bad service for a suppose it dump.

Each morning with one exception I would cross the street to have breakfast that usually consisted of two eggs toast and a cup of coffee total expenditure about four dollars. The one exception was the morning I had breakfast on my patio. A very pleasant experience though I was not alone. To continue I have nothing but praise for the hotel's housekeeping staff. On arrival Day shortly after check-in when I returned to the room the made who saw me entering my room quickly came over and asked if there was anything else I would need. I asked for extra towels and a blanket which she quickly returned with. On another note a few days into my trip after having meant a lovely lady at the coffee bar at eight o'clock in the morning. I was saying goodbye to the lady standing in the hallway just out of my room clad only in my lounge pants when a sudden gust of wind caused by leaving the door to the patio open slammed my door shut. Leaving me with no access to my room in the hallway partially clad. My charming made quickly came over opened my door for me and promised to keep this her little secret. The charming lady that she was told to me that since I like to entertain early in the morning she would clean my room as soon as she got there each morning and once again before she left in the evening. Yes that lady made some money off of me.

Another minor little incident that was quickly resolved by the hotel staff was an alarm clock that went off in the room next to me at 2 a.m.. I called the service desk who quickly sent someone up to turn it off and apologize for the inconvenience.

In the girl review section I will post some information about the girls I met this trip. But before I go one more note about hotels. The president seems to be losing some of its attraction. A number of its guests that I spoke to this trip had a growing dissatisfaction with the difficulty they are experiencing in bringing guest in and in the declining quality of the free breakfast. Another note for those of you who are staying at the president and have trouble getting your girlfriend in. The hotel Morazan head rooms they were making available for short-term use for $20.

Lee

_________________
PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Lee, funny but I could of wrote this post as well. The only difference is that I ALWAYS give back the minibar key...Don't even want to be tempted.

Every one of my trips have been at the HDR. When Gabby was there, I very rarely even made reservations. She always held 10-15 rooms under her name for last minute problems or people that called at the last minute. I always seemed to have a room. In fact, I don't think I ever had a problem there so I never even thought about staying somewhere else.

Glad you had a good time.

Nice review Lee, we don't see many detailed reviews of this hotel. Guess most guests have other things on their minds. How much is a suite and the regular rooms now?

Pacoloco:

The hotel suite was $160 with regular rooms starting at $70. Could you be considering a move. Matter of fact I ran across your relative. I'll send you a couple of photographs. Not of the relative.

Lee

_________________
PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

I recently stayed at the DR and was very satisfied. I was amazed at the maids. It seemed every time I left my room they would scurry over to see if I wanted to have the room cleaned - sometimes 3 times per day. And they always acted like they wanted to clean the room. I usually left my loose change as a tip - probably 500 to 1,000 colones per day. I have never seen such eager room staff as at the DR - not in CR and not in the USA.

Lee ... Most of the guys that complain about HDR haven't stayed there much or at all. Alot of them still have issues about mongering in the first place. They aren't completely comfortable about what is is that they are doing, so bashing the whorehouse makes them feel better. I always recieve the same kind of good service from the staff that you do. The bartenders , desk clerks , security & maids all know that we are regular guests of the hotel and because of that , they go the extra mile for us. Can't wait to get back!

_________________
"With foxes, we must play the fox." ~ Thomas Fuller

Lee, Thanks for the review and do not be chasing your girlfriends who are being hauled away by the immigration police. (Was not that you a few years ago?)

_________________
PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

Okay Okay I see all you guys who praise the del ray for many things.
Okay it might have bigger rooms or maybe easy access to girls down stairs . But come on now its not that great of a place . I have been there and checked it out 3 or 4 times . If the rooms are worth their rates thats about the only thing going for the del ray!
Oh sure you could maybe bang the maids also if your smart enough to ask them & they will gladly accomadate you. But now as for them easy access girls down stairs thats a mixed bag !! As every tme I was there and I mean at different times from early to late evenings . There was very few 8's or 7"s girls there. And the rest were more 3's or 5's.
And those 7's&8"s I sure the heck wouldn't be offering even $50 bucks for. So if the raise is for a clean room& maybe not bad food then thats cool. But I for one wouldn't praise the del ray for its women !LOL

Lee,

What was your method for confirming?

The email address: info@hoteldelrey.com never responds to me. The 1-800 # worked for my initial reservation but I TOO would like a conformation from the hotel itself.

Any and all info that you can provide will help. Thanks!

CK, Try info@delreyhotel.com

I to only stay at the del ray. I found the minibar prices very reasonable.

That is a very good point. I was quite surprised when I looked at the price list posted on the fridge. The DR deserves some kudos for this. In fact, I think the prices on the DR mini bar are closer to the actual retail cost than in any other hotel I have ever stayed.

I still think the rooms are like dungeons - many even with no windows to the outside. Staying a few days at the DR, it is easy to lose track of time.

First: I LOVE THE DR!

That said, my only complaint with the DR, and it is not really a complaint, but rather a preference, is that you never get a break from the action. For those considering their options, this is something to take into consideration. My personal preference is to have a little space.

For a single night of debatchery, the DR is hard to beat. For an extended stay it can wear on you after a little while.

FYI.....
Last night it was a BUYER'S MARKET! The ratio was at least 4 chicas / gringo. You guys that are on your way here ??? Ya better hurry!!!!!

MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Hold down the fort amigo... be there in 24 hrs. Friday night buyers market, that could be dangerous.....


Cujo

_________________
"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...